A cry break is a vocal break in a tone or note in a song. It is characteristic in the singing tone of Hank Williams where a note seems to break and start over again. There are notes that the singer sounds near to the point of starting to cry. It is a technique that is used in country singing. S ongs that deal with the issues of sorrow and loss are likely to contain cry breaks.
Famous quotes containing the words cry and/or break:
“Grusinskaya: You must go now.
The Baron: I’m not going. You know I’m not going. Oh, please let me stay.
Grusinskaya: But I want to be alone.
The Baron: That isn’t true. You don’t want to be alone. You were in despair just now. I can’t leave you now. You mustn’t cry anymore. You must forget. Let me stay for just a little while. Ahh, please let me stay.
Grusinskaya: For just a minute then.”
—William A. Drake (1900–1965)
“You’re gonna take the rap and play along. You’re gonna make every exact move I tell you. If you don’t, I’ll kill you. And I’ll promise you one thing, it won’t be quick. I’ll break you first. You won’t be able to answer a telephone or open a door without thinking “This is it.” And when it comes, it still won’t be quick. And it won’t be pretty.”
—Geoffrey Homes (1902–1977)